Means for scavenging tubular heaters of deposited material



.May 10, 1932. G D, W TE 1,857,904

MEANS FOR SCAVENGING TUBULAR HEATERS OF DEPOSITED MATERIAL Filed Nov. 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJ. 3Q

May 10, 1932. 3. D. WHITE MEANS FOR SCAVENGI NG TUBULAR HEATERS OF DEPOSITED MATERIAL Fiied Nov. 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 j JL ran STATES PATENT oFFrcE GEORGE 1). WHITE, OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO THE TEXAS COMPANY, Oi NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE MEANS FOR scAvEneIivG TUBULAR HEATERS or DEPOSITED MATERIAL Application filed November 28, 1928. Serial No. 322,566.

This invention relates to a means for scavenging tubular heaters of material deposited on the inner walls of the tubes and relates more specifically to a means for disposing of the material scavenged from tubes in tubular heaters and the like and ejected from the ends thereof.

Formerly material scavenged or removed from the tubes was blown or washed out of the ends of the tubes and a catch basin such as a pan or the like was placed beneath the. ends of the tubes and was periodically removed, emptied and replaced. In other cases where the waste material was washed out of the tubes it was permitted to fall about promiscuously over the masonry which since it usually cools slowly was still quite hot. The deleterious efiect of water on hot masonry is well known and so need not be elaborated upon. It might be added here though that an additional labor cost wasalways necessitated through the muss caused by the falling about of the scavenged'cleanings.

An important object of my invention is therefore to provide a means for scavenging the walls of the tubes of tubular heaters of deposits of material and for keeping the material scavenged from tubular heaters and the like disposed of in an orderly manner and '1' without any manual labor as it is ejected.

This with other important features of my invention may be better understood from the following detailed description and accom' panying drawings illustrating a preferred 1" form of apparatus in which:

Fig. 1 is a rear end view in elevation of a tubular heater showing certain features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentaryview taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in cross sectional elevation of the front end of the tubular heater.

' Referring now to the drawings a tubular heater of suitable design consisting of a series of tube sections 1 connected by return bends 1a situated within a masonry setting 2 is heated by the products of combustion from a burner 3, while the spent products of combustion are discharged through a stack 3a.

- It is necessary periodicallyto cleanse or scavenge the tubes 1 of such waste material as gradually collects on the inner walls there- 7 of the return bends 1a are therefore of appropriate design to permit their ready removal in gaining access to the inside of tubes 1,

which extend through the end walls of the furnace.

Hinged doors 4, which may be closed when operating'the heater are provided to overcome the circulation of air around the return bends 1a and the ends of the tubes 1, thus serving to guard against uncalled for heat losses. When the heater is down for cleaning these doors 4: may be thrown wide open and ready access to the return bends 1a. and the ends of the tubes 1 may be had.-

The masonrysetting 2 is projected past the ends of the tubes 1 and the return bends 1a sufficiently to provide ample clearance for the doors 4, which in some cases may be insulated on the inside. -VVithin the aperture thus formed suitable structural angle irons 5 and 6 serve respectively to assist in supporting the doors 4 and stiffening a tube sheet 7.

When an operation of the tubular heater .is ceased and the heater is being taken down for cleaning among the first steps is that of removing the return bends 1a. After this -is complete the main cleaning operation is started which consists in'passing a rotary or grinding tube cleaner 1?) through the tubes to remove deposits of material therefrom, and subsequently movmg or e ecting the scavengings or cleanings from the ends of tubes. Accordingly I have provided an arcleanings are received from the tube endsupon an impervious sheathing covering a drain table and directed into a gutter. Thus the scavenged material may berecovered', the masonry is protected and the mussiness is largely overcome, altogether effecting a considerable saving.

The masonry setting 2 projecting outwardly beneath the tubes 1 is sloped downwardly to form a drainta'ble'Qa and a suitable sheet metal covering- 8 is extendedover theentire sloping surface. This covering 8 is of such width that it not only covers the width of the drain table 2a but projects past the edge of the setting thus forming an apron 8a. An angle iron stiffener 9 of adequate size is fastened along the edge of the apron 8a and a number of straps or bands 10 which are attached to the angle iron5 are also attached It will be-noted that the degree edge of said metal covering and secured to a.

nructural' supporting member of the furnace setting.

In witness. whereofI have hereunto set my hand and seal this I6th day of November,

GEORGE 1). WHITE.

of slope of the drain table 2a is merely sufiicient to adequately clear the downwardly projecting leg of the angle 5 to insure proper passage of the material scavenged from the tubes 1.

A paved ditch or gutter 11 having a subway grating covering or the like 12 is disposed directly below the edge of the apron 8a to receive the scavenged material from the tubes and from this gutter 11 the material is handled in any manner desired.

It is desired that the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which has been herein described and illustrated, be limited only by the appended claims.

, I claim:

, 1'. A tubular heating furnace adaptedfor heating oil, comprising a' plurality of heating tubes having removable connecti'ng'means and arranged in a bank, a masonry furnace setting about the bank, having its base projected beyond and'sloping away from the lower edge of the tube bank, and an imperviousmetal covering extending over the surface of and projecting beyond said sloping portion adapted to form a drain table for-the reception of liquid and solid materials being scavenged from the tubes.

2; A tubular heating furnace adapted for heating oil, comprising a plurality of heating tubes having removable connecting means with their ends projecting through and sup ported in tube sheets to form a tube bank, a

masonry furnace setting about the tube bank,

having its base projected beyond and sloping away from the lower edge of the tube sheet, an impervious metal covering attached to the 

